Leslie learning of slave history in the Western Cape

The Slave Lodge was one of the sites that taught me a lot of essential information. One very important fact that I have learned was that slaves were of all types of races and came from all parts of the world. All this time it is adopted into our background knowledge/first instinct to assume that Africans were slaves. In our schools, we are taught about only one race that faced slavery which is why I feel certain stereotypes have been adopted and accepted by many people. Also why some still believe that they are “better” than African Americans. It is important information to me because it opened my eyes to truth that has been hidden from me all these years. It has also left questions in my mind such as who controls what we are taught? Who tells the stories we have come to base our whole being on? Will we ever know the whole truth and nothing but the truth? 

Another thing I learned while at the Slave Lodge was about the Dop system that was used back during the time of slavery. Slaves were given wine during all three meals to drink. Now knowing this information it can be used to explain why Africa’s alcoholism is such a high percentage here and for many minority groups that show the same results. Lastly, at the Slave Lodge I was brought to the place where slaves were brought from all over the world and auctioned right here in Cape Town. As historic and important I thought a place like that should be recognized, to my surprise, there was no respect for that kind of place. In the place of where our ancestors were sold is a stone about an inch higher from the ground that lightly says what the stone is there for (barely even eligible). Even the original tree that was there way back was cut down and replaced by another tree. This shocked me and is important to me because it is unusual for such a major event in time to be thrown in the shadows of what is called modernization. Why has the place where all slaves been brought to, where apartheid has destroyed equality, where empowered and unforgettable leaders have walked the streets of Cape Town been limited to be learned about in specific areas? Not only this but also why are such unnecessary items and “extras” being added to these places (like silvers and weapons in the Slave Lodge) that have nothing to do with the history trying to be told? Over the time I have spent in Cape Town so far I have learned and also become more aware of the history as well as current obstacles that people here are going through.

The group at the Auction Block in Cape Town
having completed their tour with Lucy Campbell of Transcending History Tours